Overhead monorail trackway system.



H. M. HARDING. OVERHEAD MONORAIL TRAOKWAY SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DBO. 6,1909.

Patented June 14,1910

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H. M. HARDING. OVERHEAD MONORAIL TRAGKWAY SYSTEM.

APPLICATION FILED DEG.G,1909.

Patented June 14, 1910.

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HENRY ML HARDING,

OFNEW YORK, N. Y.

OVERHEAD- MONORAIL TRACKWAY SYSTEM,

Specification of Letters latent.

Patented June 14, 1910.

Application filed December 6. 1909. Serial No. 531,498.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, I'IENRY M. IIARDING, a citizen of the United States, residing at N cw York, in the county and State of N cw York, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Overhead Monorail Tracliway Systems, of which the following is .a specification.

My invention relates to an overhead system of single or monorail tracks upon which electric carriers, eitherwith or without hoists, are adapted to run, the carriers depending by gravity from the monorail tracks, and deriving the current for their propulsion from trolley wires or conductors which parallel the said tracks throughout the system.

The main object of the invention is to provide for handling freight, merchandise or any articles over considerable areas and in large quantities; in other words, to provide cheap, simple, but. completely adequate trzuisportation facilities for the purposes of piers, docks, freight yards, warehouses, etc, where merchandise has to be continmil-ly shifted about in mnncrous localities at the same time, and in large quantities.

It is evident that ordinary surface cars running on tracks are not suitable for the foregoing purposes 'as the tracks would take up the greater part of the storage floor space, and any ordinary traveling crane, such as is used in machine shops, is too local in its action at any particular time, and far too limited in the volume of its capacity, to be of any practical service. Overhead tracks and carriers have accordingly been eniployed, but in order to properly cover the area of use required, it is clear that an expensive and burdensome multiplicity of cross tracks, loops and switches become essential if such tracks are fixed in any particular locations- And no matter how numerous the tracks, there "will always be intermediate spaces between the cross-tracks in which the goods frequently require 'rehandling. By my invention these diiiiculties .are overcome, and a simple but completely adequate system of transportation provided.

' With the foregoing and other objects in view, my invention consists in the features of construction and combination, as heroinafter set forth and claimed.

In the drawings: Figure l is a diagrammatic plan view showing one form of my invention; Fig. 2 is an end elevation showing certain details of what I term a traveling cross track; Fig. 3 is a transverse sectional view of the same; Fig. at is a view similar to Fig. 1, showing an extension of the system and embodying a variety of features, and features of combination, of my invention; Fig. 5 is a detail elevation showing What I term a traveling sub-cross track; Fig. 6 shows diagrammatically an element of my system; Fig. 7 shows a modified form of traveling cross track; and Fig. 8 shows another modilied detail."

Referring to the drawings in which like 1 parts are designated by the same reference sign, 1 designates an overhead monorail line or track on which any number of suspended electric carriers, either with or without hoists, are adapted to run. This line is fixed or permanent in its location and preferably runs in the"-form'of a loop around the area or inclosure of the ,picr or yard in which transportatioif is to be had. There may, of course, be just one siugle-loop'of this sort. 'as in Fig. l, or the loop maybe subdivided or form. part of a shown at l, 1", 1, 1, etc, Fig. 4, in which case a single portion of the line may form part of several loops.

2de11otes switches of the ordinary or any desired sort by which the different local loops, or loop subdivisions, may be grouped together in different: ways in the system; In accordance with the present invention the loops may be divided into two general classes: first, those which or line of posts, see l and 1, Iiig. 4:, and, second, those which run in opposite parallel spaced apart sides extending around the open areas-of the pier or building, as shown in Fig. 1 and at 1 and 1 in Fig. 4. cooperate with the traveling cross tracks, and traveling sub-cross tracks above referred to and embodying the principles of my invention. For convenience 1' williterm the two classes of loops as obstructed and open area loops respectively. As will later appear I ometiines provide loops are necessary or are used.

4 designates broadly 111 all the figures a larger loops witha system inclosing a wide -a1 ea and 111 which only open area system of fixed loops, as'

The latter loops are adapted to traveling cross track cmbodying'thc princi plcs of my invention.

4 indicates a form havinga single cross has, and E a form having two separate cross extend ina prefera-bly narrow lnclosurc around a fixed wall lines which in Fig. 1 are, however looped together at one end.

At P {Fig 4) the lines are adapted to be made either separate or looped together at the ends, by means of the switches 2, and the same is true of the two separate lines of one of the traveling cross tracks 43 (Fig. 4r). I prefer to make use of a simple bridge, in

many cases a sm le beam or girder 6 as the b o 7 a supporting frame for traveling cross tracks, providing such bridge or girder with Wheels 1 at the ends adapted to run on tracks 8 which parallel the opposite of the open area loops 1 above mentioned. To the bridge or girders there is fixed by means of any suitable arms beams or brackets 9, the cross lines or tracks 10 which are in the same horizontal. plane or level as the stationary lines or loops 1.

2, 2 2, etc denote switches of any ordinary or any approved-sort by which the cross lines or tracli'silO may be joined in continuity with the said fixed lines 1, or disconnected therefrom, as desired. These sw tches are arranged to make a sliding connection with the tixed lines 1 so as to cooperate equally therewith in all positions of the traveling cross tracks. The usual trolley wires or conductors 11 may be hung upon the brackets 12, paralleling thetraclrs 10 and preferably directly above the same, as shown in Figs. 3 and i. The carriers themselves may be of any desired character; they do not form any direct part of the resent invention.

It is clear that the invention is complete in its characteristics as above described, but 1 have included another feature which greatly extends its utility in certain cases. I refer to What I have termed the travelin sub-cross tracks, shown in Figs. 4: and o and broadly denoted 13. These comprise sub or secondary brid es spanning a pair of bridges one or both a which may be in the traveling cross track bridges 6 and having Wheels l i running on the respective bridges 6 of the pair, in the same manner that the bridges 6 run on their fixed tracks 8. The bridges 6 of such a pair should of course be tied together by an suitable distance rods or spanners 19 (omitted from Fig. l of the drawings for the sake of clearness). These traveling sub-cross tracks may have a single cross line 15 or a pair of separate cross lines 16 and suitable switches and trolleys similar in all respects to the lines 4, 4 4, and 4, of the traveling cross tracks & already described. It is an important characteristic of the system that all the sub-cross lines 15 are on the same horizontal plane or level as the cross lines 10, and the latter are on the same plane or level as the main lines or fixed loops 1. In other Words, all the lines, both fixed and movable, are so hung as to be strictly in the same horizontal plane or line parallel sides es nee-s throughout the system, lit is evident that all portions offlhe open areas or .r or building can h loco-ed with lace iorming part a large or small or i i r s List 1 waliz-d amnion or iooos, inte s o u 1 lot e or comparatively long distance ticn, bo h oing; on, if: desired, sinnzl ously, and from the same locality,

' its thus tar described have considered the system as'incleding Walls or r ets which support the tracks 8, and Walls or pcstsare present in y i or roofed over structure. I have ii walls denoted l? and formed w n sional doors windows or open which may he provided or use sages for the lines and carriers or m a tem. The opposite parallel side lines open area loops 1. preferably erase the wall 17 on opposite sides there-oi, are

joined together at the loca ions or the open spaces 18 to torni the obsti acted area. loops already referred to. Switches these points are adapted to convert "ch lines into portions or the ones area loops or oh- )9 structed area loo os as desired in some i cases an obstructed area loop -i two walls or lines oi posts, thi an intermediate open 's ace in vzhi cars, ior example, rosy he rs L that this arrangezne structed area lc o o W1" f ai tion. One or more loops such quently desired the ontsi l3 such as a freight terminal was. haps located under awning roof and in such case icalarly v: ed to cooperate with tile soon i in the manner just. described.

There are certain important conditions or characteristics that particularly connect the foregoing system or arrangement with the use of suspended carriers such as employed with a monorail track. Each carrier must ordinarily have partci? construction, technically e he a:

known as the down conic either on one side or the other of the monorail track, and this down come can rie'rs being switched from one track to another in more than one particular direction. In other Words it not ordinarily possible, Without the use of special carriers, to have switches forking from a cross track in both directions to a main line since the down come would interfere, either on one side or the other. Furthermore there is a. large number of carriers constantly employed, and designed to move about sinniltaneouslv for the same and (lit? Trent. purposes in difi erent parts ot the system, it becomes very desirable, if not essential, to have t-l'ieni all move in paths which never intersect in crossing, or return upon themselves, thereby dispen ing with the necessity of service to preventcollisions between the di 'erent carriers.

loop, ,in which carriers is attained.

The system of the present invention is particularly designed to satisfy the two foregoing requirements. I do not, of course. desire to be imited to these latter aspects of the invention, in regard to those broader aspects of the invention as hereiube't'ore first described, the said latter aspects being in the nature of additional results and features, rather than essential ones in the construction.

Referring to Fig. 6 there is shown what may-he described as ajriple unit, H-shaped may move in'six difierent circuits; amounting practically to all-possible combinations. Over all these circuits at once the carriers are adapted to move without intersecting in crossing. or returning upon themselves in any case. the movementof all the carriers being invariably clockwise or the reverse. Such triple unit H-shaped loop may be said to form a basis; or element. by grouping or repeating which. my complete preferred construction This is illustrated for example in Fig. 40f the drawings. In general this fundamental triple unit H-shaped loop is formed by the combination of two fixed loops M and N and aconnecting travelii/g cross track in. the form of an entirely se; arate loop 0, having its looped ends wholly inside of and away from said parallel side lines.

P designates switches adapted to connect said cross track loop to the side lines, these switches curving away from the looped portions of the cross track. In some cases the switches l are dispensed with and the end portions X of the loops 0 made to constitute switches adapted to he swung into register with the loops M and N (see Fig. 8) or with each other.

The methods of use and operation are too numerous to permit of being more than indicated in their general nature. Fox-exampl assume that a pile of merchandise located at Xv is to be sorted outand transported rapidly to four dill'crcnt Y. Z, \V and V. The different traveling cross tracks and traveling sub-cross tracks would be arranged sul'JstantiaIly'in the inanner shown. and then a continuous succession of carriers would be loaded at the point X and would travel therefrom in continuous circuits in the direction of the arrows to the in-ions points of deposit, the dili'erent carlocalities be used with only open area loops, the fixed lines of the system being suspended from fixed bridges or girders. or any other desired way. i

What I claim ist- I 1. In an overhead railway, the combination with a carrier having a down come a fixed overhead monorail line, a travelin cross track having an overhead monorail cross line adapted to connect with said fixed line in all'positions of the cross track. and means for permitting movement, of said carrier with its down come to every point of said lines.

2. In an overhead railway. the combination with a carrier having a down come a fixed overhead monorail loop having a pair of opposite parallel side lines. cross track having an overhead monorail cross line adapted to connect with both of riers traversing either the same or different,

circuits, but following actual circuits either clockwise or anticlockwise in all cases. and not reversing or traveling in opposite directions on lines at any point of the system.

\Vhere a yard or pier is wholly open without walls or posts. the traveling cross tracks may be mounted on standards 20, supported on trucks 2] as shown in Fig. 7. To this case the system is particularly adapted to and a traveling sub-cross track said parallel lines in all positions of the cross tract, and means for permitting movement of the carrier with its down come to every point of said lines.

3. In an overhead railway, the combination with a fixed overhead monorail loop aving a pair of opposite parallel side lines, of a traveling cross track having an overhead monorail cross line adapted to connect. with both of said pa *allel lines inall positions of the cross track, and switches for opening such connection.

4. In an overhead railway, the combination with a fixed overhead monorail. loop having a pair of opposite parallel side lines. of a traveling cross track having an overhead monorail cross line adapted to connect with both of said parallel lines in all positions of the cross track, and a traveling subcross track.

5. In an overheadrailway, the combination with a fixed overhead monorail loop having a pair of opposite parallel side lines, of a traveling cross track having lines joining said parallel lines, and a traveling subcross track.

6. Tu an overhead railway, the combina-- tion with a fixed overhead monorail loop having a. pair of opposite parallel side lines, of a pair of travel iug cross tracks each having a line adapted to join said parallel lines, having a line adapted to join the lines of said traveling cross tracks.

7. In an overhead railway, the combination with a fixed open area monorail loop, a fixed obstructed area monorail loop, switches for joining said loops in one large loop or separate individual loops, and a traveling cross track having a line adapted to joinopposite parallel sides of said openv area loop.

8. In an overhead railway, the combination with a fixed open area monorail loop, a fixed obstructed area. monorail loop,

switches 1m su b-(iivid'mg said obstructed vline adapted to join oppositepaiaiiel sides 112%, imp inia a, plumiity oi smaller Loops r merging saw. obstructe said open area loops into one large, 300p, and a}, t'sweiing cross track having" a line adma'izeci to join opposite pamiiei sies 01f said open area loop.

9. in an U'=.-"6lh%8.d railway, the combin iliOZl wifli fixed open mencmil E0033 fixed obstructed area monm'al,100p,switches for sub-(ilvimiing saici abet-mama? area. 100; into a plurality 0i smaiier ioeps m" mayging said ohstrucieci and open area iaops 1m 011% large loop a traveling crass track having 025 said open area 100p, am a, traveling sub crass having a iine adapted to g'oin the iine 01"" said travaiing cross Mack.

10. In an overlie-tad raiiway *z-he csmbimi. kiwi with a fifie overhead monorail leap 1 having a pair of opposite pvailel side iinesg 0f traveling crass track having a pair warhead monom'ii crass lines looped :0 get-i191 at their emis Wholly insid e of Ml. away irom said paraiiei side fines, i131 switches aiapt-ed t0 connect said cross lines to said sida iines anci curving in ciirections away from said looped portions of sai crass lines.

11. A mm binatisn of oval-head manoraii 1009s over which carriars having \iQWIl comes are; adaptec'i t0 pass in a gihififiiig ai fereni circuits in the same m sfit-hm Eili'fifi iiam of tbs leaps at avery 39051119; iii we system.

12.11; anoverhead raiiww the cmn'ioir si- 'tion Wiilil @2 fixed mezwyms'. 1 eggs EiEVHlg parallel inaizie appesiiae side 311m (if travaiing crass having 5% 21 awirileai 1 swim nmnoraii cross lines iimpeai. ends Wholly inside 0:. and away siaie lines, and switches 21% A commas; said crass 130 said skis and. curving in direct-wins away from iseped ",oartiens 0E cross fines.

0% a. veiing rass itmci; having a overhead mam-mil crass lines ioopsci 0- 5 get'iwi" at ends wk-wily insia'is if ami away from said. pamiiei. siw ims, and means 2501 cennecting saifi emss L es in mivl in overhead. railway, 00311 3 11121 255 1231011 a imveimg bridge at $211k 13-31 which $2.16 hndge iraveis an river-h Pi an Warhead monamii. said bricigs on the, same iavei {5-3 ine mu} admit e6. to c aunect 'ilir' liwltil in all 90225; 095 said brifigfi,

an overhaul railway, the combizia- RFLGZ. Wish 3 idge ex a track OX1 which said bridge "maveis, a pair (We head monara il fixed leaps Q11 (iiieteni; ievei "2mm said track, and an warheari m0ii0- mil cross iin'a carrieci saiai b the mm. 1 3% as said and adzap nest 'hurew tn in aiipssiiwms 1 M,

m: imony whereof,

. 52118 "on in subssilb of .flecember 

